Wind Powered Vehicle with Cable Attached Hydrofoil

ABSTRACT

A sailing vehicle comprising a vehicle body with at least one wind capturing device for propulsion attached to the vehicle body with at least one hydrofoil attached via cable to the vehicle body wherein the cable includes means for raising or lowering the attached hydrofoil allowing the vehicle to be adjustably suspended above the surface of the water between the wind capturing device and the hydrofoil.

BACKGROUND

Wind powered transportation over water has existed for millennia. It is well known that sails and kites can propel boats across water. Boat mounted sails are effective and widely used, but boats must be modified to accommodate them and users can suffer from motion sickness and turbulence.

Kite powered boats present several advantages over boat mounted sails. As a kite pulls a boat, it does not heel the boat over or pitch it forward as a sail does. Kites can also fly higher than sails, providing access to stronger, more consistent wind. However, kite powered travel over water still presents the same disadvantages mentioned above, motion sickness and turbulence, due to friction and water dynamics.

In order to overcome these challenges, it would be advantageous for a means of sailing completely removed from the surface of the water. Hydrofoils are well known and create lift to raise boats off the surface of the water. But while boats with mounted hydrofoils reduce drag and friction, they still suffer from the effects of turbulence and wave action.

The subject matter disclosed herein is not limited to embodiments that solve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such as those described above. Rather, this background is only provided to illustrate one exemplary area where some examples described herein may be practiced.

SUMMARY

The purpose of the present invention is to overcome these mentioned disadvantages by suspending a boat between a kite, or other wind capturing device, and an attached hydrofoil allowing for the boat to ride completely out of the water, providing for reduced turbulence and less motion sickness. In one example or embodiment, the boat or vessel uses a cable attached hydrofoil, allowing for easy adjustment of the length of the cable. The cable can be made out of any material strong enough to support the opposing upward force of the wind and downward force of the hydrofoil, for example stainless steel cable. The cable can also be resistant to corrosive environments such as salt water. The boat is held in place above the surface of the water by balancing the forces of the wind propelling the kite upward and a hydrofoil capable of pulling the boat downward toward the water. The hydrofoil is steerable via user controls inside the vessel. This allows the user to direct the hydrofoil downwards by controlling an elevator on the wing of the hydrofoil. This design provides a different result from current designs in that the hydrofoil is holding down and not lifting up the whole entire kite boat assembly, as traditional hydrofoils do. The user is also able to direct the hydrofoil laterally via a controlled rudder, improving control of the entire vessel.

The vehicle body can take on several difference variations, but is designed for smooth re-entry into the water and to function as a traditional boat when the hydrofoil is retracted. A wind-powered kite is powerful enough to lift up with incredible force, allowing for the vehicle body to be quite large and carry multiple passengers. The hydrofoil can be retracted to allow the vehicle to function as a traditional boat powered by any known means, whether it be by motor or paddle. With the hydrofoil retracted, the boat can also remain powered by the kite and travel across the surface of the water.

The vehicle is driven and directed via control of the attached hydrofoil. The hydrofoil can be made out of any material strong enough to resist the pressures of an underwater environment, such as fiberglass or aluminum. One example of the hydrofoil design contains front and back wings functioning as elevators, along with a rudder for lateral stability. This design allows the user to steer the hydrofoil up or down, and side-to-side. The elevators and rudder are controlled by cables that are connected to a steering mechanism inside the vehicle body where the use can direct the craft. These control cables can run side-by-side connecting support cables that tether the hydrofoil to the vessel or they can be contained inside of the support cables.

The steering mechanism can be a pedal system, or other known steering mechanisms such as a steering wheel. Steering, port and starboard can be manually controlled by the driver using pedals or electronics tied to global positioning system settings. The depth of the hydrofoil can be controlled by adjusting the cables that are connected to the hydrofoil. This can be done by steering the hydrofoil downward or by retracting the cable into the vessel via a winch. Controlling depth is important because the water may be choppy or turbulent at various depths and finding smooth, less turbulent water allows for a smoother ride. One method for depth control is using a pressure sensor that measures the water depth using water pressure. The control can be located in the cockpit on the boat using a dial in depth controller with the ability to measure depth in feet in the approximate range of 0-100 feet. Once the user chooses a depth, the winch would adjust the length of the cable to obtain the appropriate depth.

The hydrofoil when not being used can be pulled up to saddle against the bottom of the boat while in harbors or shallow water. The boat can be sailed like this through shallow bays and areas. The hydrofoil is still effective but the boat creates drag slowing it down considerably. By extending or retracting the cable attached hydrofoil and harnessing wind currents, the boat can be raised to any height above the water, for example, from on the surface of the water to 300 feet in the air.

The hydrofoil and the kite are controlled from the boat. The kite is attached to an anchor point on the boat and can be controlled by a control stick inside of the vessel. The hydrofoil can be adjusted to any depth that corresponds to the available length of cable. The cable attached to the hydrofoil can be extended or retracted using a winch or other powered or non-powered means, such as a hand-powered crank system for extending or retracting the cable, located in the boat. The focus is to remain below the wave depth so as not to effect the smooth sailing of the boat. For example, if the swell height is 5 feet, then the hydrofoil should be 6-10 feet or more in depth to stay below the waves. If the swell is 10 feet than the hydrofoil should be 11-20 feet below the waves. The deeper the hydrofoil the more drag on the cable so it is best to run it as shallow as possible but deep enough not to risk the hydrofoil coming out of the water. The hydrofoil can carry an attached sound emitting device so that it is audible to marine animals. This will help to avoid collisions between the hydrofoil and sea animals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

As set below, the invention is explained in more details with the help of the schematic drawing. It is shown in:

FIG. 1A the vehicle traveling over the surface of the water powered by a kite with the hydrofoil attached via cable.

FIG. 1B the vehicle traveling above the surface of the water using the cable attached hydrofoil to keep it tethered to the water,

FIG. 2A the hydrofoil used to maneuver the vehicle,

FIG. 2B the front mounting attachment for the cable coupled with the control cable controlling the front elevator,

FIG. 2C the rear mounting attachment for the cable coupled with the control cable controlling the rear rudder,

FIG. 3A an overhead view of the hydrofoil,

FIG. 3B a side view of the hydrofoil, and

FIG. 4 the control system used to steer the vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For purposes of promoting an understanding of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the following embodiments and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the described subject matter, and such further applications of the principles as described herein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the subject matter relates.

The present invention generally relates to a wind powered vehicle with a cable attached hydrofoil that allows the vehicle to travel suspended above the surface of the water between a kite propelling the vehicle forward and upward, and the hydrofoil which tethers the vehicle to the water.

FIGS. 1A & 1B show the vessel 1 in a floating and an elevated position respectively, relative to the water. FIG. 1A depicts the vessel 1 on the surface of the water with a kite 2 attached at an anchor point 3. The kite 2 may be attached and unattached at the anchor point 3. The kite cables 23 pass into the vessel 1 and are manipulated by the user to control the position of the kite 2. In this depiction the kite 2 is fully extended and supported by wind, but the kite 2 can be adjusted and in various stages of wind support based upon the conditions. The submerged hydrofoil 6 is attached to the vessel 1 via an elevator control bundle 4 and a rudder control bundle 5. FIG. 1B shows the vessel 1 in elevated position relative to the water. The elevator control bundle 4 and the rudder control bundle 5 can be extended or retracted by the user inside the vessel 1 using a winch to allow the hydrofoil 6 to be maintained at a desirable depth.

FIG. 2A depicts the hydrofoil along with the elevator control bundle 4 and the rudder control bundle 5 and their respective attachments to the hydrofoil. The present hydrofoil comprises a front wing 7 that includes an adjustable elevator controller 8 at its posterior end. An elongated support rod 9 connects the front wing 7 and adjustable elevator controller 8 to the rear wing 24 and the rudder fin 15.

FIGS. 2B and 2C illustrate the attachment points for the elevator control bundle 4 and the rudder control bundle 5. In FIG. 2B, the elevator control bundle splits into the elevator control cable 11 and the elevator attachment cable 25. The elevator control cable 11 is fixed to the front wing 7 by an anchor housing 12. The elevator control cable 11 connects to an elevator adjuster 13 through the anchor housing 12. Tightening or loosening the elevator control cable 11 raises or lowers the elevator adjuster 13 and adjusts the adjustable elevator controller 8. The elevator attachment cable 25 is secured to the front wing 7 by a front wing anchor 10.

In FIG. 2C, the rudder control cable bundle splits into the rudder control cable 27 and the rudder attachment cable 26. The rudder control cable 27 is fixed to the rudder fin 15 by the rudder anchor housing 17. The rudder anchor housing 17 connects to a rudder adjuster 18 which when the rudder control cable 27 is tightened or loosened pulls the rudder adjuster 18 to one side or the other allowing the adjustable rudder controller 16 to be controlled by the user. The rudder attachment cable 26 is attached to the elongated support rod 9 by a rear rudder anchor 14.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show perspective views of the hydrofoil. FIG. 3A is an overview perspective of the hydrofoil. The front wing 7 and adjustable elevator controller 8 are connected to the elongated support rod 9 at the horizontal middle of the front wing 7. The elevator adjuster 13 is connected to the adjustable elevator controller 8. The front wing anchor 10 is positioned at the middle of the upper side of the front wing 7. The rear wing 24 and the rudder fin 15 are connected to the elongated support rod 9 on the end opposite the front wing 7 and adjustable elevator controller 8. The rudder adjuster 18 is attached to the adjustable rudder controller 16. The rear rudder anchor 14 is attached to the elongated support rod 9 on the rear upper side of the elongated support rod 9.

FIG. 3B is a horizontal perspective of the hydrofoil. The front wing 7 is attached to the anterior of the elongated support rod 9. The front wing anchor 10 is attached to the upper middle surface of the front wing 7. The elevator adjuster 13 is connected to the adjustable elevator controller 8. The elevator adjuster 13 moves the adjustable elevator controller 8 up and down in order to control the pitch of the hydrofoil. The rudder fin 15 is attached to the posterior end of the elongated support rod 9. The rear wing 24 is positioned parallel to the front wing 7 and perpendicular to the rudder fin 15 at the rear of the elongated support rod 9. The rudder fin 15 is attached to the adjustable rudder controller 16 which is controlled by the rudder adjuster 18. The rudder adjuster 18 moves to either side to allow the hydrofoil to move left or right. The rear rudder anchor 14 is positioned and attached to the upper, posterior portion of the elongated support rod 9.

FIG. 4 illustrates the user controls inside of the vessel. The user is positioned in a seat 19 with a kite control stick 20 and an elevator control pedal 21 and a rudder control pedal 22. The user has full control of the vessel by positioning the kite control stick 20 to direct the position of the kite and by using the elevator control pedal 21 and the rudder control pedal 22 to direct the position of the hydrofoil. The depth of hydrofoil can be adjusted by the winch 28 that can extend or retract the elevator control cable bundle 4 and the rudder control cable bundle 5. The elevator control pedal 21 is connected to the elevator control cable bundle 4 and the rudder control pedal 22 is connected to the rudder control cable bundle 5. Depressing or retracting the elevator control pedal 21 extends or retracts the elevator control cable inside the elevator control cable bundle 4 which controls the adjustable elevator controller on the hydrofoil. Depressing or retracting the rudder control pedal 22 extends or retracts the rudder control cable inside the rudder control cable bundle 5 which controls the adjustable rudder controller on the hydrofoil. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A sailing vehicle comprising: a vehicle body; at least one wind capturing device for propulsion attached to the vehicle body; at least one hydrofoil attached via cable to the vehicle body wherein the cable includes means for extending or retracting the attached hydrofoil allowing the vehicle to be adjustably suspended above the surface of the water between the wind capturing device and the hydrofoil.
 2. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the wind capturing device is a kite.
 3. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the vehicle is steered by a pedal system controlling the hydrofoil.
 4. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the depth of the hydrofoil is controlled by a winch and a pressure sensor that measures water depth using water pressure.
 5. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the hydrofoil is adjustably controlled to lower the vehicle relative to the surface of the water rather than raise the vehicle out of the water.
 6. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the hydrofoil comprises an elongated member with an adjustable perpendicular horizontal front edge and an adjustable vertical rear rudder edge.
 7. A sailing vehicle comprising: a vehicle body; at least one kite attached to the vehicle body; at least one hydrofoil attached via cable to the vehicle body wherein the cable is extended or retracted by a winch allowing the vehicle to be adjustably suspended above the surface of the water between the kite and the hydrofoil; wherein the hydrofoil comprises an elongated member with an adjustable perpendicular horizontal front edge and an adjustable vertical rear rudder edge;
 8. The vehicle of claim 7 wherein the vehicle is steered by a pedal system controlling the hydrofoil.
 9. The vehicle of claim 7 wherein the hydrofoil includes a sound emitting device to reduce collisions with sea life.
 10. The vehicle of claim 7 wherein the depth of the hydrofoil is controlled by a pressure sensor that measures water depth using water pressure.
 11. A sailing vehicle comprising: a vehicle body; at least one kite attached to the vehicle body; at least one hydrofoil compromising an elongated member with an adjustable perpendicular horizontal front edge, a perpendicular horizontal rear edge, and an adjustable vertical rear rudder edge; the hydrofoil attached via cable to the vehicle body wherein the cable is raised or lowered by a winch allowing the vehicle to be adjustably suspended above the surface of the water between the kite and the hydrofoil; a steering mechanism connected to the hydrofoil with means for a user to adjust the hydrofoil allowing for direction change;
 12. The vehicle of claim 11 wherein the hydrofoil includes a sound emitting device to reduce collisions with sea life.
 13. The vehicle of claim 11 wherein the depth of the hydrofoil is controlled by a pressure sensor that measures water depth using water pressure.
 14. The vehicle of claim 11 wherein the vehicle is steered by a pedal system controlling the hydrofoil. 